Frequently Asked Questions

We've tried to answer the most common questions, but contact us if you have more.

Included in all tours and charters is a fine dining experience brought to your by our award-winning exclusive catering partner Layla's Restaurante, champagne, wine, beer and a fully stocked top shelf bar.Additionally, snorkeling equipment, towels, sunscreen and seasick medication are all included.We know you will be thrilled with the service on board so we ask you to consider a 15 - 20% tip for the crew at the end of the day.

Unless you’ve asked for another departure time, we generally leave from the Marina Vallarta at 10.30 AM and are back at the Marina by 4 PM for the five-hour tours.Please contact us for additional details.

The Starboard Grande, a 58-foot Azimut yacht, can take groups of up to 24 people. The Starboard Menor, a 37-foot Carver yacht, can take groups up to 12 people.Both boats are equipped with four different decks, inner air-conditioned cabin, the bow for sunbathing (front), the stern (back) and topside deck for maximum viewing (top). Both also include full-sized heads (bathrooms) and cabins for changing. There’s plenty of room to move around.

Private charters can go out any day of the week. call or email us for availability.

Private charters can go out any day of the week. call or email us for availability.

Occasionally during the winter season, we offer public ticket sales days. You’ll just sign up and go with others. These trips are planned in December, January, February and March and will be announced on our Facebook page or through future emails.By the way, have you liked us yet?

On the rare occasion we have to cancel, we will inform you via email by 8.30 AM and tickets are refundable or transferable to a different date. These situations include the port captain advising us to do so or inclement weather.This is extremely rare in the winter and unusual for the summer since most summer storms don’t start until the evening; why we shy away from sunset tours between June and October. However, if you have any doubts, check your email by 8.30 AM on the day of and if you haven't heard from us, bon voyage!

Our amazing chefs are capable of dealing with all dietary requirements. Please let us know what you need by email at least 48 hours in advance.

We will cruise close to the shore so you can view the small villages from the bay, pass Los Arcos, and then head further south to Majahuitas where you can snorkel and swim. Our last stop is at Yelapa, where we moor for more swimming before returning to Marina Vallarta. Some days, depending on water conditions, we head north to view the Marietta Islands before mooring on the Punta de Mita coast for swimming.Either direction, it's a fabulous experience.

Our crew is licensed to work on the ocean in Mexico. Ray is a former EMT trauma technician and fully trained in basic first aid. Additionally, we have a formal safety plan in effect on the yacht to cover medical emergencies as guest safety is our number one priority.

Smoking is permitted on the back deck.

Children are more than welcome on private charters. It is not a suitable tour for infants and children under that age of 8, but please contact Ray Vallarta to discuss this further.Again safety is our number one priority.

For a private charter, that’s up to you. Most groups choose a five-hour tour, but we can go out from 4-6 hours or more, depending on what you’d like. Want a sunset cruise? A trip to see Los Arcos and the southern beaches? Just let us know. We avoid three-hour tours because that was how the Minnow was lost.

We meet at Starbucks at the Marina Vallarta. Just turn into the main marina, by the whale statue, and you´ll see the Starbucks immediately on your left. For an 11 o´clock departure, we meet at 10:30.If you would like for us to book a comfy, air-conditioned van for your transportation needs from another part of town, we can do that for an additional charge as we can secure greater rates than individuals for rentals. Also, many guests just UBER (yes, we have UBER in Vallarta).Please contact us for additional details.